We have just published the third version of report on German defense.
According to Brigadier General (Retired) Meyer sum Felde:
“Priority must now be again on collective defence and related high intensity warfighting capabilities for credible deterrence.
“The Bundeswehr must become again essential part of the conventional backbone of defence in Europe, similar to its role in the Cold War.”
But any German defense reset faces a significant challenge.
“But different from our Eastern European neighbors, who very clearly see themselves threatened by Russian behavior and power, we need to do so in a social context where many Germans do not share the assessment of the NATO governments that Russia poses a direct threat to Europe.
“Unfortunately, even within the coalition government, the consensus on our future defence posture broke during the federal election campaign in summer 2017 and this has not yet been fixed due to purely domestic tactical party politics.”
The report is based on recent interviews in Germany with senior retired Bundeswehr officers as well as strategists and journalists.
The featured photo shows
A German Air Force a Panavia Tornado conducting re-fueling off of a Royal Canadian Air Force CC-150 Polaris aircraft during Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE 2018 on November 3, 2018 in Norway.
Image by: Corporal Bryan Carter, 4 Wing
The report can be downloaded here:
The Return of Direct Defense in Europe: The Challenges for Germany